Most people assume the trends that matter in January will matter in December. The reality? Halfway through the year, the designs that actually stick become clear. Five designers across the country just identified the 10 movements that will carry through the rest of 2026, and the common thread isn’t what you’d expect.
We’re deep enough into 2026 now to see which directions are holding and which are fading. Not every material, color, or feature that emerged at the start of the year will remain relevant by December. But a handful will continue to shape how homes are designed and lived in. Five designers weighed in on exactly which trends will dominate through the end of the year, and their answers reveal a clear shift in how homeowners are thinking about their spaces.
What designers are seeing across the country
Cody Brown, co-founder of Bridges Brown Interiors, points to a major shift happening in the second half of 2026. Homeowners are moving away from spaces that feel staged. Instead, they’re creating homes that tell a personal story. The emphasis is on personality over perfection.
That means clients are investing in collected interiors. Brown’s clients are filling rooms with antiques, vintage finds, handcrafted pieces, and meaningful artwork rather than matching furniture sets. The advice? Buy that quirky piece. Embrace your favorite paint color regardless of what the color of the year dictates. That’s what makes a space feel like it belongs to you.
Brown has also noticed a shift in materials. Homeowners are departing from cool, flat minimalism. Instead, they’re embracing richer wood tones, tactile materials, plaster-like finishes, statement stone, and thoughtful architectural details that create warmth without adding clutter. The materials do the work.
How wellness and personalization are shaping layouts
Gina Elkins, founder of Studio Casa Vita, has received several requests to integrate saunas, steam rooms, and cold plunges into residential designs. The wellness movement is no longer confined to gyms. Her goal is to integrate these features in a thoughtful, natural way so they feel like part of the home, not a commercial gym. That means being intentional about finishes, sizing, and placement. Backyards are natural locations, but basements and even bathrooms can work in some cases.
Elkins has also seen clients requesting more defined spaces than ever before. Open floor plans have been declining in popularity for years, but now it goes further. People want built-in banquettes and moments for pause in the home to counter the wildness of the outside world. Designers are achieving this through ceiling heights, entry scale, and dark, moody corners.
Alcoves and nooks aren’t going anywhere. If you’re renovating or refreshing your kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom, consider adding a nook for that cozy, enclosed, cocoon-like feeling. Krystal Reinhard, founder of Old Soul Design Studio, adds that having defined spaces with doors that open and close plays to homeowners’ hobbies and interests. Formal, rarely used rooms are out. Homes are becoming more personalized with rooms designed around daily rituals rather than the status quo. Reading rooms, listening rooms, wellness rooms, creative studios, and home libraries are all in demand.
Materials and finishes that anchor the look
Natural wood in the kitchen will continue to shine, according to designer Jessica Hobson. White oak remains a strong contender, but the trend is shifting to darker shades like natural walnut. If an all-natural-wood-finish kitchen feels like too much visually, an accent feature can be just as striking. Hobson suggests going for a wood island with painted exterior cabinets in a kitchen instead. The contrast anchors the space.
Hobson has enjoyed how open her clients have been to mixing metals lately. She says this look is here to stay for the foreseeable future because it adds such a layered element of interest to the space. Kira Young, founder of High Tide Design, points to unlacquered brass as a material that will continue to be majorly on trend. Designers love the way this material patinas over time. Natural character is something to be celebrated, Young explains.
One thing to know about unlacquered brass is that spots and stains are par for the course. The appearance will darken over time. Make sure you’re comfortable with that kind of living finish before you commit.
Why color is taking over every surface
Bold, colorful spaces are here to stay, according to Hobson. She rarely gets requests for neutral spaces anymore. Layered, cozy spaces continue to trend for 2026 and will keep going, so don’t be afraid to mix and pile on the pattern. The layers create depth.
Color drenching will stay in style too, Reinhard adds. Instead of a single accent wall, designers are creating spaces enveloped in one rich color across walls, trim, ceilings, and millwork. Charcoal, espresso browns, aubergines, and warm blues are the go-to palette. Reinhard warns not to neglect the ceilings. For the rest of 2026, ceilings will continue to reign through color drenching, artisan wallpaper, exposed wood beams, and custom millwork.
Homeowners are no longer satisfied with spaces that feel one-dimensional, which means looking up is no longer optional. Paint is the cheapest way to make an impact, but coffered ceilings have been on the rise again too. The trick is treating every surface as an opportunity. That’s what makes a room feel finished.
